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I just remembered why I'm glad I retired after reading this thread and associated link.
It also reminded me of a colleague who spent the day after the 2014 gubernatorial election here in Maryland alternating between throwing up in the restroom and crying (a Republican won).
One of his classes finally got disgusted and came down to my room, let me know what was going on, and asked if they could find a shady spot in the corner to do their work.
I had a small class that period (only about 28 or 30 kids) so I, of course, let them stay.
You don't think television and social media helped create the Obama phenomenon? No one ever would have heard of him if it hadn't been for the televised speech he made at the Democratic Convention, and the subsequent fuss that was made over him--as if the nation was surprised to discover an articulate Black politician who wasn't Al Sharpton.
And who was behind that hullabaloo that was made about him? Oprah Winfrey. She gave him her "book club" treatment; endorsing him, promoting him, showering him with free publicity and promotional work behind the scenes, as she did with her monthly book club selections. She picks a book, and *poof* sales skyrocket, the book becomes a phenom. It's unfortunate that he met with so much opposition in Congress; he could have achieved a lot more. But don't think that the birth of his candidacy did not involve a TV phenom--in his case, Oprah, and social media, etc., at least--in the initial stages. Let's be real.
I didn't say anything about THE "media" or "television" as a box that sits in one's living room. I referenced "reality television" such as: being a celebrity from a reality TV show a.k.a. Kim Kardashian.
But I'm not really the best person to comment on your general point since Obama was my state's senator and I read his book well before he was running for pres.
Really, all I want is for all of us to try to come together. Personally, I would encourage students to talk with their parents about these issues. I think students slinging insults should be dealt with per the school's code of conduct.
We don't know what is going to happen but we know it will be a disaster if we can't find a way to work together.
Really, all I want is for all of us to try to come together. Personally, I would encourage students to talk with their parents about these issues. I think students slinging insults should be dealt with per the school's code of conduct.
We don't know what is going to happen but we know it will be a disaster if we can't find a way to work together.
Do you think we've tried to come together over the last 8 years? Or is this "coming together" a new phenomenon you hope occurs? What will bring us together?
Why, after this most contentious of campaigns and elections, would Americans be more likely to come together than in past years?
Really, all I want is for all of us to try to come together. Personally, I would encourage students to talk with their parents about these issues. I think students slinging insults should be dealt with per the school's code of conduct.
We don't know what is going to happen but we know it will be a disaster if we can't find a way to work together.
If you think racial slurs are the same as insults, I sincerely hope you are not a teacher.
Do you think we've tried to come together over the last 8 years? Or is this "coming together" a new phenomenon you hope occurs? What will bring us together?
Why, after this most contentious of campaigns and elections, would Americans be more likely to come together than in past years?
Because I am just as hopeful as I was eight years ago. Just because circumstances change doesn't mean hope goes away....
Thank you for the thought provoking replies so far!
I think this article bothers me because it projects too much of an "us vs. them" mentality and broad brushing all Trump supporters as bad. Indeed there are some who are. There are some trouble makers on the other side as well, as we have seen in the protests when some bad apples decide to take it to the next level and start smashing things.
Children have been exposed to so much information on the internet, both wonderful and horrible. It's also given some, many of them young and impressionable, the power of anonymity to be real... jerks! There's nothing more grotesque sometimes than a Youtube comments page, and all sorts of forums like 4Chan where kids get caught up in the most atrocious language.
Above ground, we have the "PC" culture, overly sensitive kids now in college needing safe spaces and counseling when they see an inappropriate Halloween mask or a conservative comes to express their viewpoints. And then there are those who purposely wind up the "snowflakes" just to see their reaction.
I think we're seeing worlds collide!
As far as the obnoxious behavior in schools, I would remind any bad behaving Trump supporting kids that their parents elected a "law and order" president. I'd remind them that President Elect Trump said he wants to be President to all Americans.
I'd tell them that yelling "build the wall" is poor sportsmanship after they've "won".
Try to get the kids who ARE well behaved and supported Trump to set a good example...
Of course if goes without saying any violence has to be stopped immediately.
Well, these are just thoughts from someone who is NOT a teacher and doesn't know what it's like in the trenches, so take it for what it's worth.
Good luck to all of you who will be confronted with these challenges!
I would suggest being part of the solution rather than focusing on the problem. We WILL survive this.
If you really want to protest the Trump incitement of anger, racism and islamophobia, try here.
Join the Movement
Wear a safety pin on your shirt or jacket to indicate that you are a safe person and don't tolerate hate.
If you see any harassment:
Ignore the attacker.
Engage in conversation with the victim. Sit or stand beside them and say hello and be friendly.
Pick a random topic of conversation (weather, a movie you liked, music you enjoy, etc.)
Keep building a safe space. Keep eye contact with the victim and do not acknowledge the presence of the bully.
Continue the conversation until the attacker leaves. Escort the victim to a safe space if it becomes necessary.
Do not, in any way, interact with the attacker. You must absolutely ignore them and focus entirely on the person being attacked!
Please make sure to always respect the wishes of the person you’re helping: whether they want you to leave quickly afterwards, or not! If you’re in a hurry escort them to a place where someone else can take over — call one of their friends, or one of yours, of if they want to, the police. It all depends on how they feel!
Note that this movement is modeled on the Australian ride with me movement which began after gunman stormed a Sydney Cafe and took hostages. Many Muslims were afraid of the backlash and the Ride with Me hashtag began a campaign to sync their commutes with Muslims who were fearful.
Quote:
After a woman posted on Facebook about a woman silently remove her hijab on public transit, the hashtags #illridewithyou and #ridewithyou took off and started trending worldwide, with Australian leaders and people all over the world offering to sync their commutes with people who wanted protection.
After Brexit, the UK has adopted this as well.
Quote:
The road to Brexit, as the U.K. decision to leave the European Union is called, was marked by blatant anti-immigrant rhetoric. And since last week’s vote, in which the Leave side was ultimately victorious, there’s been a significant increase in hate crimes. According to the National Police Chief’s Council, reported hate crimes have jumped by 57 percent since the vote.
In response to the open environment of hatred, people across the U.K. are now wearing safety pins — and tweeting pictures of themselves wearing them — in an act of solidarity with immigrants. The viral campaign was started by an American woman living in the U.K., who told indy100 that as a white woman, she doesn’t often get the same hate as other immigrants.
Take action against hate and harassment. LOVE TRUMPS HATE.
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Thank you for the thought provoking replies so far!
